Why?
Because it results in a constant undertone of stress for the birds because they are in proximity to each other and there is fear/aggression due to the fact they don't get along.
The biggest thing though of course is the reality of the stress to the birds and their relationship. If you ask me, a parrot deserves to go everywhere with their people that they can---because, as we all know we are their flock and parrots go *everywhere* with their flock. Camping, visiting, to the park, etc. Whatever it may be. They deserve to have dinners and breakfasts and family time or showers with their people.
Having two birds that don't get along means that you either dull both their lives in the name of equality or play favourites and be unfair. What I mean of course, is that, either I don't give either Jacko or Sully any of these things or I have to pick one and am left with the guilt of knowing somebody is left back in their cages in the house. I hate that. I feel terrible. Surely they deserve more and would be happier.
Otherwise it becomes a situation of rotations, juggling attention schedules and I find it takes the joy out of having parrots and from achieving that deep personal bond that a bird who goes everywhere and does everything with you develops. Partially because while you're hanging out with them you're thinking 'ok, Jacko's got another 15 minutes and then Sully comes out and then its time for bed for them' and feeling guilty about the lonely bird waiting in the cage for its turn. Or maybe thats just how I feel.
But, the likelihood of my birds getting along is basically non-existant. Even if they just learned to tolerate each other it would be foolish to have them both out at the same time because of their size differences---even a minor squabble would lead to injury or worse.
Also, as a really non-important side note. It makes everything so much more difficult. Costs are doubled and it is harder for multiple birds to be portable. For example, Jacko is fairly portable---pack her up, grab her travel cage and throw some toys/food in my overnight bag. WIth two or more suddenly though its so much more imposing and difficult to travel and have spontaneity and mobility---its so much more difficult to try and convince people to let me bring birds instead of bird.
It's this train of thought that makes me contemplate if perhaps I will reduce my flock to one even though Sully is healthy now. It just seems the right thing to do. How do those of you with multiple birds feel? Anyone know where I'm coming from? Or am I just crazy?
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